For official Washington and the reporters who cover government and politics, this is known as what happens on Fridays. While news occurs 24/7, there is something about a Friday that brings out bigger headlines — and typically not good news for President Obama or any other White House occupant.

Take, for example, the events of Feb. 1, 2013:

“The West Wing” ran on TV from 1999 to 2006. (Paul Drinkwater, NBC)

David Petraeus announced in the morning that he would step down as CIA director after acknowledging he had shown poor judgment in engaging in an extramarital affair.

By early afternoon, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said he would leave Obama’s Cabinet as soon as a successor could be confirmed.

And then to cap the day, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said he’d retire — months after a scandal erupted involving agents who consorted with prostitutes during Obama’s trip to Colombia.

Today is playing out like a version of “Take Out the Trash Day,” when bad news gets revealed by the White House. The phrase was popularized by the TV show The West Wing about a fictional White House led by Democratic President Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen.